AIBOC CIRCULAR NO. 17 DATED 22.03.2013 ON GOVERNMENT'S DIRECTION FOR WORKING ON HOLIDAYS AND WEEKDAYS

AIBOC issued its circular No. 17 dated 22.03.2013 on Government’s decision for working on 29th, 30th and 31st March, 2013. We are placing the same here for our readers.

CIRCULAR NO.17                                                     DATE: 22.03.2013

TO ALL AFFILIATES /MEMBERS:

GOVERNMENT’S DIRECTION FOR WORKING ON HOLIDAYS AND WEEKDAYS - FULL DAY WORKING ON 29TH 30TH AND 31ST MARCH, 2013 - AIBOC REQUESTS FOR WITHDRAWAL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS

We have today sent a communication to the Government of India, Ministry of Finance on the issue of extending working on 29th 30th and 31st March 2013 in all the Branches of Banks. A copy of our communication along with the directives issued by the Ministry of Finance is enclosed.

All our affiliates/members are requested to await further developments in this regard.

With greetings,

Sd/-

(D.S.RISHABADAS)

GENERAL SECRETARY

No. 1454/22/13                                                             Date: 22.03.2013

To,

The Finance Secretary,

Government of India,

Ministry of Finance,

Department of Financial Services,

NEW DELHI.

Dear Sir,

SUB:   EXTENDING WORKING HOURS AND OPENING OF BANK BRANCHES ON WEEK END AND HOLIDAYS IN MARCH 2013

Our attention has been drawn to a communication issued by the Ministry of Finance by the under secretary to the Government of India in regard to keeping the bank branches of all banks open on 29th, 30th and 31st of March, 2013 for the purpose of collection of taxes by the banks. The instructions have come as a rude shock to the officers of the banking industry as these happens to be the weekend coupled with a General Holiday i.e., Good Friday on 29th March, 2013. Good Friday is observed as a day of fasting and prayers by the Christians and to force them to work on this day of penance would also hurt the feelings of the minority. The next two day’s that is 30th and 31st happens to be Saturday and Sunday.  We have been receiving anxious enquiries about these instructions and requests from our members that they should be allowed to use their weekends as well as the General Holidays.

  

The latest directives of the Ministry of Finance to keep the Bank Branches open for full working on 29th, 30th & 31st of March 2013 would force the Bank Officers to work continuously for 13 days without a break. While, the banks are already burdened with annual closing work the current instructions would be an additional burden and would cause a great hardship to our members.

We therefore request you to kindly look into the matter and issue suitable instructions withdrawing the current directives to avoid hardship to our members across the country.

Please treat the matter as urgent.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(D.S.RISHABADAS)

GENERAL SECRETARY